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Tag - Xcode

On Tuesday, Apple issued a minor upgrade to its Xcode development software, releasing version 7.2.1 specifically to fix some bugs and issues discovered since the release of v7.2 late last year. Among the most important of changes was that the certificate used by Safari Extensions and Push Notifications, along with certain kinds of Wallet passes, has been updated. Other issues resolved include a debugger crash and a command line tool that could time out.

Fulfilling a promise it made last spring, Apple has posted source code for the core libraries, parts of Foundation, and the raw language compiler for Swift, the company's development language -- including some features planned for the future Swift 3, but published now to gain feedback and assist in development. The move enables a number of new use cases for the language, which is deeply integrated into the company's Xcode IDE.

Following last week's beta updates, Apple has seeded new betas today for developers for iOS 9.2, OS X 10.11.2. The iOS and OS X betas are the third in a weekly series, and will almost certainly be matched with public tester versions within the next day. In addition, a second beta of tvOS 9.1 has been released, bringing Siri control to Apple Music. Apple on Monday also updated its multi-OS development tool Xcode to version 7.1.1, fixing some "critical" bugs found in the user interface testing, debugging, and Interface Builder components.

Cutting out the usual one-day wait between developer and public-tester releases, Apple on Tuesday issued a fourth beta of iOS 9.1 for both groups. While changes and updates are not yet known, there have been a series of small tweaks and polishes in recent betas, including new wallpaper options, the ability to disable contact photos in Messages, and other minor revisions alongside the usual bug fixes. In addition, the company released a new third betas of tvOS and Xcode 7.1 to developers.

Having only just warned developers on Thursday that a marquee developer feature, "app thinning," would be suspended due to iCloud version bugs, the company on Monday revealed an update that should fix the issues. The new version of Xcode, now at 7.0.1, will allow the feature to go forward, and should prove to be a great benefit to space-strapped iOS device users, as the feature allows app downloads to consist of only the assets the app needs to run on that particular device rather than any iOS device, significantly reducing downloading time and app size.

One week after it unveiled the public release of iOS 9, Apple on Wednesday issued version 9.0.1, which addresses a few security and bugfix issues. The update fixes issues where alarms and timers might not play and where some users could not complete the setup assistant after updating, among other issues. In addition, the company issued new second developer betas of iOS 9.1, tvOS, and Xcode 7.1 for testing.

Apple has now responded publicly to the XcodeGhost malware scare, explaining in a page on its Chinese website addressed to customers that even if they used apps affected by the issue, no personally-identifiable information was gathered. The company removed any affected apps, and explained the cause (iOS programs were built using compromised Chinese versions of Xcode downloaded from other sources), while offering developers a method of ensuring that their own installations of Xcode were valid.

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have double the amount of RAM of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus launched last year, according to research by a developer. A custom utility running in the iOS simulator in Xcode 7.1 beta allegedly confirms rumors that this year's smartphone releases have 2GB of RAM each, with another test seems to suggest the new iPad Pro will have double the RAM compared to other available iPads.

A developer may have become the first to create an emulator for the upcoming refreshed Apple TV. James Addyman, developer of the multiplatform-capable Provenance emulator, claims to have ported his software to Apple TV, getting it running within the Apple TV simulator within Xcode in around three hours, strongly suggesting existing iOS app developers will have little trouble with porting their mobile apps to Apple TV and tvOS.

On Tuesday, Apple released the fourth developer betas of iOS 8.4 and OS X 10.10.4, the next updates for the current versions of iOS and OS X. As with previous releases, the new betas focus on bug fixes and other enhancements for each of the two platforms, while the iOS beta continues to feature the preliminary Apple Music application, which will replace the current Music app but continue its functions with a revamped UI that also includes an optional subscription component. In addition, the company has released its first beta of Xcode 7.

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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

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Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

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Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

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Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

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SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

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Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

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Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE